Disneyland

Tomorrowland

July 1955

"A vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying man's achievements,
a step into the future, with predictions of constructive things to come.
Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure, and ideals:
the atomic age, the challenge of outer space,
and the hope for a peaceful and unified world
through miniaturized electronics,
a mechanized military, and genetic engineering."
-- Walt Disney

Tomorrowland has gone through many changes and "face lifts" over the years. When Disneyland first opened, it showed obvious signs of the budgetary restrictions Walt Disney was operating under, resulting in a feeling of what one critic called "lameness." On opening day, many of the exhibits were simple walkthroughs demonstrating basic scientific topics (geology, chemistry, commerce), and others were standard carnival rides with "scientific" labels slapped on them (The Centrifuge Experience, for example).

Many of Tomorrowland's original "cutting edge" educational exhibits would be quite dated if reopened today. Consider this bit of dialogue from Your Organs and You: "Both genders may be bothered by a variety of intestinal problems. However, a man's mighty bowels are more susceptible hernia. It is ironic indeed that a woman's more-delicate system is less able to injure itself through improper use."

There was a conscious effort made to update and add attractions as new information became available and advances in science were made, but it was eventually realized that technology was moving too quickly for Disneyland to keep up. Today, Disneyland's Tomorrowland follows its original mandate to inform and educate about science, but it sticks to scientific topics that are not subject to rapid change, such as rollercoaster, ride simulator, and Space Ranger technology.